Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for raising this issue. I will give some context first. On 6 January, the Government announced that additional public health restrictions would apply under level 5 of the plan for living with Covid-19. The additional restrictions required all construction activity to cease from 6 p.m. on Friday, 8 January, with a number of exceptions. These measures are set out in the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 10) Regulations 2020, as amended.

With regard to private housing developments, the regulations provide that housing and construction works that were ongoing on 8 January could continue where the works required to render the property capable of occupation were scheduled for completion by 31 January 2021. The regulations also provide for the supply and delivery of essential or emergency maintenance and repair services to businesses and homes, including electrical, gas, oil, plumbing, glazing and roofing services, on a call-out basis. On 23 February, the Government announced that the current level 5 restrictions would remain in place until 5 April 2021.

People who cannot occupy their new or renovated home can apply for mortgage payment breaks. The banks have been asked to exercise, and generally are exercising, forbearance with regard to mortgage and loan repayments. In September the Central Bank reported that over 90,000 people were availing of mortgage payment breaks and that the overall number of people in arrears had reduced. Banks are obliged to follow the Central Bank's code of conduct on mortgage arrears, which involves a four-step mortgage arrears resolution process, MARP. Accordingly, in most circumstances a person who does not have the financial wherewithal should not have to face the challenge of covering both rent and mortgage or loan payments while awaiting the completion of a new home build or renovation. In addition, people can access the Money Advice & Budgeting Service, MABS, which is funded by the Department of Social Protection under the aegis of the Citizens Information Board, for support in utilising the mortgage arrears resolution process.

Protections are also in place to support tenants during the lockdown. A moratorium on evictions has been in operation throughout the country since 31 December 2020 and it is to last until 15 April 2021, with limited exceptions. The Department of Social Protection provides a range of supports to help people during the Covid-19 pandemic, most notably the pandemic unemployment payment, the employment wage subsidy scheme and the Covid-19 illness benefit, and it has introduced flexibility with regard to access to rent supplement. In addition, it provides supplementary supports where a person is experiencing financial hardship. These are, of course subject to a means test to ensure supports are targeted at those who need them most. For example, the exceptional needs payment scheme is available to provide supports to people who may be experiencing exceptional needs as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case. In considering whether to make a payment, officers consider the income of the household and the ability of the applicant to meet the need from his or her own resources. Exceptional needs payments are not subject to the habitual residence condition and payments can be made to those who do not qualify for other social welfare supports. Accordingly, any person experiencing financial hardship as a consequence of Covid-19-related constraints can and should access the community welfare service. Where a need can be established, we are there to help.

I thank the Deputies for raising this matter.

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